A Chronological History of the UFC Bantamweight Championship

The UFC's bantamweight division is known for its intense competition. At the time of the UFC's inception in 1993, Mixed martial arts was not sanctioned in the United States, and did not include weight classes. The original codification for weight classes introduced only two divisions: heavyweight, which grouped together all competitors above 200 pounds (91 kg), and lightweight, which encompassed all competitors 199 pounds (90 kg) and under. It would be nearly ten years before the UFC would expand their divisional offerings to include any of the lower weight classes.

In early 2012 the UFC decided they would delve even further into the lower weight classes when they announced the introduction of the flyweight division to their ranks, beginning with UFC on FX: Alves vs. In November 2012, as a result of the forthcoming dissolution of their sister organization Strikeforce, the UFC announced they would be adding female fighters to their roster for the first time in the promotion's history. Initially, only the women's bantamweight division was brought over, with the division's premiere bout taking place at UFC 157. A little over a year later, the UFC announced they would be expanding their weight classes for female fighters with the addition of a women's strawweight division, the first bout took place at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. In late 2016, a featherweight division was introduced for the women with the first bout to be for the inaugural championship at UFC 208 on February 11, 2017.

The first additions came in late 2010 when the UFC merged with their sister organization World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC). Due to the WEC's focus on lighter weight fighters, this merger necessitated the addition of both the featherweight and bantamweight divisions to the UFC, starting with The Ultimate Fighter season 12 finale.

This article provides a chronological history of the UFC's 135-pound title, which migrated over from the WEC in 2010 when the promotions merged.

Champions List

Here is a detailed look at the champions who have held the title:

Read also: The Bantamweight Class

Dominick Cruz (2010-2014)

Dominick Cruz was the WEC bantamweight champion who defeated Scott Jorgensen at WEC 53 on December 16, 2010, to win the first UFC Bantamweight Championship. He defended the title successfully against Urijah Faber and Demetrious Johnson.Total reign: 1,117 daysTitle defenses: Urijah Faber, Demetrious Johnson

Renan Barao (2012-2014)

Renan Barao defeated Urijah Faber at UFC 149 (7/21/12) to win the interim title. He defended the title against Michael McDonald and Eddie Wineland. Barao was promoted to undisputed champion on January 6, 2014.Total reign: 534 days as interim champ; 138 days after being promoted to champion (Jan. 6, 2014)Title defenses: Michael McDonald, Eddie Wineland, Urijah Faber

T.J. Dillashaw (2014-2016)

T.J. Dillashaw defeated Barao at UFC 173 (5/24/14) to win the title. He defended the title against Joe Soto and Barao.Date: May 24, 2014Event: UFC 173Opponent: Renan BaraoTotal reign: 603 daysTitle defenses: Joe Soto, Renan Barao

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 24: T.J. Dillashaw reacts to his victory over Renan Barao in their bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 173 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dominick Cruz (2016)

Dominick Cruz defeated Dillashaw at UFC Fight Night (1/17/16) to regain the title. He defended the title against Urijah Faber.Date: Jan. 17, 2016Event: UFC Fight Night 81Opponent: T.J. DillashawTotal reign: 348 daysTitle defenses: Urijah Faber

Cody Garbrandt (2016-2017)

Cody Garbrandt defeated Cruz at UFC 207 (12/30/16) to win the title.Date: Dec. 30, 2016Event: UFC 207Opponent: Dominick CruzTotal reign: 309 daysTitle defenses: None

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz taunt each other in their UFC bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 207 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 30, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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T.J. Dillashaw (2017-2019)

T.J. Dillashaw defeated Cody Garbrandt to win the title for the second time. Dillashaw had to vacate the title due to a failed drug test.Date: Nov. 4, 2017Event: UFC 217Opponent: Cody GarbrandtTotal reign: 501 daysTitle defenses: Cody Garbrandt

Henry Cejudo (2018-2020)

Henry Cejudo defeated Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 (6/8/19) to win the vacant title.Date: June 8, 2019Event: UFC 238Opponent: Marlon MoraesTotal reign: 352 daysTitle defenses: Dominick Cruz

Henry Cejudo celebrates his TKO victory over Marlon Moraes of Brazil in their bantamweight championship bout during the UFC 238 event at the United Center on June 8, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.

Petr Yan (2020-2021)

Petr Yan defeated Jose Aldo at UFC 251 (7/12/20) to win the vacant title.Date: July 12, 2020Event: UFC 251Opponent: Jose AldoTotal reign: 237 daysTitle defenses: None

Aljamain Sterling (2021)

Aljamain Sterling defeated Petr Yan to win the title via disqualification after Yan used an illegal knee strike at UFC 259 (3/6/21).Date: March 6, 2021Event: UFC 259Opponent: Petr YanTotal reign: 896 daysTitle defenses: Petr Yan, T.J. Dillashaw, Henry Cejudo

Aljamain Sterling reacts after his victory by disqualification over Petr Yan of Russia due to an intentional foul in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06 2021 in Las Vegas Nevada.

Petr Yan (interim)

Date: Oct. 30, 2021Event: UFC 267Opponent: Cory SandhagenTitle defenses: None

Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling defeated interim champion Petr Yan at UFC 273 (4/9/2022). He defended the title at UFC 280 against T.J. Dillashaw (10/22/2022).

Sean O'Malley (2023-Present)

Sean O'Malley reacts after his knockout victory over Aljamain Sterling in the UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 292 event at TD Garden on August 19, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.Date: Aug. 19, 2023Event: UFC 292Opponent: Aljamain SterlingTotal reign: 393 daysTitle defenses: Marlon Vera

Merab Dvalishvili (Present)

The bantamweight title is on the line in the UFC 320 co-main event when champ Merab Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) takes on Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC).Date: Sept.

UFC Bantamweight Title History

Below is the table summarizing the UFC Bantamweight Title History:

Champion	Date of Win	Event	Opponent	Reign (Days)	Title Defenses
Dominick Cruz	Dec. 16, 2010	WEC 53	Scott Jorgensen	1,117	Urijah Faber, Demetrious Johnson
Renan Barao (interim)	July 21, 2012	UFC 149	Urijah Faber	534 (interim) / 138 (champion)	Michael McDonald, Eddie Wineland, Urijah Faber
T.J. Dillashaw	May 24, 2014	UFC 173	Renan Barao	603	Joe Soto, Renan Barao
Dominick Cruz	Jan. 17, 2016	UFC Fight Night 81	T.J. Dillashaw	348	Urijah Faber
Cody Garbrandt	Dec. 30, 2016	UFC 207	Dominick Cruz	309	None
T.J. Dillashaw	Nov. 4, 2017	UFC 217	Cody Garbrandt	501	Cody Garbrandt
Henry Cejudo	June 8, 2019	UFC 238	Marlon Moraes	352	Dominick Cruz
Petr Yan	July 12, 2020	UFC 251	Jose Aldo	237	None
Aljamain Sterling	March 6, 2021	UFC 259	Petr Yan	896	Petr Yan, T.J. Dillashaw, Henry Cejudo
Petr Yan (interim)	Oct. 30, 2021	UFC 267	Cory Sandhagen	N/A	None
Sean O'Malley	Aug. 19, 2023	UFC 292	Aljamain Sterling	393	Marlon Vera
Merab Dvalishvili	Sept.	UFC 320	Cory Sandhagen	N/A	N/A

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